RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01218 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His narrative reason for separation be changed from failed medical/physical procurement standards to medical/service connected disability. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His hip injuries are what kept him from continued service, not the condition Pes Planus (flat feet), the condition for which he was discharged. When he arrived at basic training, a foot scan revealed he had a medium arch. He reported to medical on 12 April 2010, after he noticed swelling on his right ankle, pain in his right knee and his right hip. These conditions may have been caused when he accidently fell down stairs, during drill or other physical training. He was later diagnosed with stress fractures to his right tibia, right femur and other areas of his hips. He went through physical therapy and returned to basic training. During the fourth week of training, he was injured during a physical evaluation. He continued with physical therapy with some relief. He was served with discharge paperwork for flat feet by a nurse. He spoke to his provider and explained that he would prefer a Medical Evaluation Board. The provider told him his records were insufficient for a Board. He was discharged for flat feet even though there was never an examination to determine his feet were flat. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of his medical records and other supporting documentation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 30 March 2010. On 3 March 2011, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to discharge him from the Air Force for defective enlistment: erroneous enlistment. Specifically, the applicant did not meet the minimum medical requirements to enlist. On 3 March 2011, the applicant acknowledged his commander’s intent to discharge him. He also acknowledged his right to consult counsel and to submit statements on his behalf: he declined both. On 4 March 2011, the commander directed the applicant be discharged for erroneous enlistment. His service was characterized as honorable and his narrative reason for separation was listed as failed medical/physical procurement standards. He was credited with serving 11 months and 8 days of active duty service. According to a medical examination submitted by the applicant, as of 21 March 2011, he exhibited no signs of abnormal Pes Plano deformity. He had a moderate arch and no signs of pain. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AETC/SGPS recommends a change in the applicant’s RE Code. The applicant was evaluated and diagnosed with stress fractures in his hips which precluded him from training. The applicant has fully recovered and has no physical limitations. The applicant’s separation was in accordance with established policy and administrative procedures. However, the applicant now meets the medical criteria for military duty. The complete SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit C. The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends approval. It is unclear how the applicant was diagnosed with Pes Planus based on the inspection of his foot versus the X-rays, particularly in the context of the normal foot examination entered on the applicant’s DD Form 2808, Report of Medical Examination. Although, Pes Planus may expose an individual to develop shin splints and stress fractures, the preponderance of the evidence shows this was not the cause in the applicant’s case. As such, the Medical Consultant recommends the applicant’s record be changed to reflect the applicant suffered stress fractures incident to or caused by his military service. In computing the applicant’s disability rating, his right pubic ramus fracture was symptomatic at the time of release. Therefore, a 10 percent disability rating should be assigned for the right side and a 0 percent rating for the left for a combined disability rating of 10 percent, effective the date of his release from military service. The BCMR Medical Consultant notes that AETC recommends the applicant’s RE code be changed to allow him to apply for reentry, however, the applicant remains vulnerable for a recurrence of similar injuries upon re-exposure to the rigors of training previously experienced. The BCMR Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 4 November 2011, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting relief. We note the applicant’s attending provider indicates in his evaluation that the applicant has fully recovered and has no physical limitations. In view of his evaluation coupled with the recommendations of AETC/SG and the BCMR Medical Consultant to provide the requested relief, we believe a change in the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and reentry code is warranted. Accordingly, we recommend his record be corrected as indicated below. 4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that: a. On 6 March 2011, he was found unfit to perform the duties of his office, rank, grade, or rating by reason of physical disability, incurred while he was entitled to receive basic pay; that the diagnosis in his case symptomatic stress fracture of the inferior pubic ramus, under hyphenated analogous VASRD code 5003-5099, that the compensable percentage was 10 percent; that the disability was not due to intentional misconduct or willful neglect; that the disability was not incurred during a period of unauthorized absence; and that the disability was not received in the line of duty as a direct result of armed conflict or caused by an instrumentality of war. b. He was honorably discharged on 7 March 2011, for a physical disability with entitlement to 10 percent severance pay. c. At the time of his discharge on 7 March 2011, he was issued a reentry code of 3K. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01218 in Executive Session on 8 December 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dtd 18 Mar 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/SGPS, dtd 29 Jul 11. Exhibit D. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dtd 28 Oct 11. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dtd 4 Nov 11. Chair